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FABLE: The One Trick Pony

Once upon a time, years before the chip was invented, the company which was making more transistors for the open market than anyone else was making them all for a single application - hearing aids.

 

By 1953, the company was making 10,000 junction transistors a month selling for around $9 each. But it never made a transistor for any other application than hearing aids.

 

By 1957, the company still supplied 80 per cent of the market for transistors for hearing aids, but had been overtaken by other companies in total volume of transistors produced.

 

By 1960 the company was no longer a leading player in transistor production.

 

MORAL: A One-Trick Pony Can't Be A Stay-er.

By 1953, the company was making 10,000 junction transistors a month selling for around $9 each. But it never made a transistor for any other application than hearing aids.

 

By 1957, the company still supplied 80 per cent of the market for transistors for hearing aids, but had been overtaken by other companies in total volume of transistors produced.

 

By 1960 the company was no longer a leading player in transistor production.

 

MORAL: A One-Trick Pony Can't Be A Stay-er.

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